Titans Insider » Dwight Freeneyhttp://blogs.tennessean.com/titans
Titans news and analysis from Tennessean.comSun, 16 Mar 2014 15:26:22 +0000en-UShourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=3.6A closer look at the DE markethttp://blogs.tennessean.com/titans/2013/05/02/a-closer-look-at-the-defensive-end-market/
http://blogs.tennessean.com/titans/2013/05/02/a-closer-look-at-the-defensive-end-market/#commentsFri, 03 May 2013 05:03:45 +0000JOHN GLENNON, The Tennesseanhttp://blogs.tennessean.com/titans/?p=24967The Titans had not made plans to bring free agent defensive end Dwight Freeney in for a visit as of Thursday night.

That’s not to say it won’t happen at some point, though, because it’s clear the team is still at least browsing the market at that position.

As colleague Jim Wyatt has reported, the Titans had defensive end Israel Idonije in for a visit earlier in the week and defensive end John Abraham is visiting today.

Which of the confirmed visitors – Abraham and Idonije – might be more likely to wind up with the Titans? That depends on whether the Titans decide they want more of a pure edge pass rusher (Abraham) or more of an all-round defensive end (Idonije).

Abraham is turning 35 in a few days, but he was still a disruptive force for Atlanta last year, registering 10 sacks, seven passes break-ups and six forced fumbles in addition to his 35 tackles.

The 6-foot-4, 263-pounder is clearly just a pass-rush specialist, but it certainly has to tempt the Titans that he has averaged 11 sacks for the past three seasons. Tennessee had moderate pass-rush success from its defensive ends last year, with Derrick Morgan posting 6.5 sacks and Kamerion Wimbley 6.0.

The 6-6, 275-pound Idonije has the capability of being on the field more for the Titans and playing in more situations. He’s averaged 13 more tackles per year than Abraham the last three seasons and he’s also averaged about seven sacks a year for the past three seasons.

At 32 – 33 in November – Idonije isn’t as long in the tooth as Abraham either, but did the Titans already fill his potential role with the addition of Ropati Pitoitua?

As for the 32-year-old Freeney, if he does visit Nashville at some point, he obviously fits the same mold as Abraham. The 6-1, 268-pound Freeney pretty much defines pass-rush specialist at this stage in his career, but he wasn’t nearly as productive as Abraham was last year, posting five sacks – his lowest figure since 2007 — and just 12 tackles (career low) in 14 games.

In Freeney’s defense, he played out of his accustomed position in Indianapolis’ new 3-4 system last year, so it’s possible he could boost his numbers with a return to a 4-3.

]]>http://blogs.tennessean.com/titans/2013/05/02/a-closer-look-at-the-defensive-end-market/feed/0Abraham signing thins market at defensive endhttp://blogs.tennessean.com/titans/2012/03/16/abraham-signing-thins-market-at-defensive-end/
http://blogs.tennessean.com/titans/2012/03/16/abraham-signing-thins-market-at-defensive-end/#commentsFri, 16 Mar 2012 18:54:04 +0000JOHN GLENNON, The Tennesseanhttp://blogs.tennessean.com/titans/?p=18540One of the Titans’ top targets at defensive end went off the board today when the Atlanta Falcons re-signed John Abraham to a three-year deal, according to multiple national reports.

The Titans had expressed interest in Abraham, but hadn’t set up an official visit, likely waiting for the Peyton Manning saga to play out before they had a better idea of their finances. Abraham had collected 22.5 sacks over the past two years.

Abraham’s signing means most of the highest-rated defensive ends have now signed – Mario Williams with Buffalo, Jeremy Mincey back to Jacksonville and Abraham with Atlanta. Former Titan Juqua Parker also signed with Cleveland.

Two former New England defensive ends that had productive seasons last year – Mark Anderson and Andre Carter – are still unsigned.

Of course, it’s possible that Dwight Freeney might become available through trade or release by the Indianapolis Colts. In addition, Oakland is reportedly preparing to cut defensive end/linebacker Kamerion Wimbley, who has 16 sacks over the past two seasons.

The Titans are still talking to Jason Jones, but he would prefer to play defensive tackle.

Whatever the case, the Titans certainly need to do something at defensive end, as Derrick Morgan is the only one of their top four defensive ends from last year still on the roster.

]]>http://blogs.tennessean.com/titans/2012/03/16/abraham-signing-thins-market-at-defensive-end/feed/0How important is a mobile QB against Colts?http://blogs.tennessean.com/titans/2011/12/15/how-important-is-a-mobile-qb-againsts-colts/
http://blogs.tennessean.com/titans/2011/12/15/how-important-is-a-mobile-qb-againsts-colts/#commentsThu, 15 Dec 2011 23:28:45 +0000JOHN GLENNON, The Tennesseanhttp://blogs.tennessean.com/titans/?p=17768Conventional wisdom would suggest a mobile quarterback would be especially important against swift pass-rushing defensive ends such as Robert Mathis and Dwight Freeney of the Colts.

But is that really the case?

Titans quarterback Matt Hasselbeck says mobile quarterbacks – such as Carolina’s Cam Newton and Jacksonville’s Blaine Gabbert – have at times gotten themselves into trouble by scrambling out of the pocket against the Colts.

“Really the only chance (the Colts) have to do something special is sort of a sack-fumble,” Hasselbeck said. “You see some quarterbacks, in particular some younger quarterbacks, try to escape the pocket and get free. You see them try to get outside and it’s just not happening. They’ve got great team speed on defense.”

Hasselbeck said pocket passers like New England’s Tom Brady and Baltimore’s Joe Flacco have been more effective against the Colts.

“They’re taking their drops, stepping up inside the pocket, and their eyes are downfield the whole time,” Hasselbeck said. “Those teams did a little bit better against (the Colts) in terms of explosive plays and converting third downs just because they do have such good team speed on defense.”

Coach Mike Munchak isn’t about to call quarterback mobility a liability, but he says quarterbacks have to be cautious against the Colts in that regard.

“You have to be smart and know that if you do escape the pocket, then you can’t stop,” Munchak said. “You have some great speed chasing you. You can’t stop to make a throw. You have to keep moving because someone is chasing you from behind and they are great at stripping the ball and knocking it out and getting sacks.”

]]>http://blogs.tennessean.com/titans/2011/12/15/how-important-is-a-mobile-qb-againsts-colts/feed/0Titans look to reverse slow-starting trendhttp://blogs.tennessean.com/titans/2011/10/28/titans-look-to-reverse-slow-starting-trend/
http://blogs.tennessean.com/titans/2011/10/28/titans-look-to-reverse-slow-starting-trend/#commentsFri, 28 Oct 2011 19:24:57 +0000JOHN GLENNON, The Tennesseanhttp://blogs.tennessean.com/titans/?p=16867Getting out of the gate quickly has not been a strong suit this year for the Titans. They’ve only twice scored in the first quarter, have surrendered the game’s first score in four of six contests, and have been outscored 27-10 overall in first quarters.

“We have not played well on offense early through most of the season,” Coach Mike Munchak said. “We know that and we have to come out doing things a little more positive.”

There’s plenty of incentive for the Titans to grab an early lead against the Colts. For starters, the Titans don’t want to allow a winless team to score first and bolster what could be shaky confidence.

Even more importantly, the Titans don’t want to give the Colts a lead because that would mean Indianapolis’ two dangerous defensive ends – Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis – would likely get more opportunities to terrorize Matt Hasselbeck.

“They’re not on the field as much (if the Colts are trailing),” Munchak said. “They’re smart with their guys. They’re watching their reps. They’re not young men anymore. They try to use them wisely and so if you are in run situations, you’ll have them off the field quite a bit more.

“If you can manage that, you’ll have two playmakers not on the field, the two guys off the edge. I know Michael Roos and David Stewart both hope it works out that way, and (Hasselbeck).”

]]>http://blogs.tennessean.com/titans/2011/10/28/titans-look-to-reverse-slow-starting-trend/feed/0Dwight Freeney a go for Coltshttp://blogs.tennessean.com/titans/2010/02/07/de-dwight-freeney-a-go-for-colts/
http://blogs.tennessean.com/titans/2010/02/07/de-dwight-freeney-a-go-for-colts/#commentsSun, 07 Feb 2010 22:07:03 +0000JIM WYATT, The Tennesseanhttp://blogs.tennessean.com/titans/?p=4858MIAMI Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney is officially active for Super Bowl XLIV. Freeney, who had 13½ sacks during the regular season, did not practice all week.

He warmed up on the field here at Sun Life Stadium directly in front of me and appeared to be moving well. One false step early in the game, however, and he could end up watching the rest from the sideline.

]]>http://blogs.tennessean.com/titans/2010/02/07/de-dwight-freeney-a-go-for-colts/feed/0Freeney idea: Bulluck with Coltshttp://blogs.tennessean.com/titans/2010/02/03/freeney-idea-bulluck-with-colts/
http://blogs.tennessean.com/titans/2010/02/03/freeney-idea-bulluck-with-colts/#commentsWed, 03 Feb 2010 17:16:00 +0000JIM WYATT, The Tennesseanhttp://blogs.tennessean.com/titans/?p=4679FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. If the Titans don’t re-sign Keith Bulluck, Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney would like to see the linebacker finish his career in Indianapolis.

Now that’s not something most Titans fans want to hear.

“To have Keith on this team would be a tremendous help,’’ Freeney said on Wednesday. “To have a guy who has the experience that he does around the locker room … that would be a tremendous help.’’

Bulluck and Freeney played college ball together at Syracuse and have remained friends.

Bulluck is recovering from ACL surgery. He’s scheduled to become a free agent in March if he’s not re-signed by the Titans.

Freeney said he expects Bulluck to make a complete recovery and come back as good as ever.

“Keith Bulluck is an outstanding player,’’ Freeney said. “He is a tremendous athlete, tremendous talent, and a great guy off the field and I am definitely pulling for him, hoping that his knee comes back together which I know it will.

“Keith has worked so hard at what he does and I think he is very underrated. As linebackers who play from sideline to sideline in coverage, I don’t think there’s a better outside linebacker.’’

Those who write Bulluck off would be making a mistake, Freeney said. Bulluck, who just finished his 10th NFL season, will turn 31 in April.

“I definitely think he is the same guy,’’ Freeney said. “You get a little bit older, but that also comes with more experience and more instincts and that is something that needs to be said. It is not always about, “OK, am I running the same 40 time?’’